News From National
Another Positive Step
We applaud the news that Pope Francis plans to meet with survivors of clergy sexual abuse. Equally important is the report that "three bishops are under investigation" for abuse-related matters. If those bishops are themselves guilty of sex abuse, the step is to be applauded. But other bishops already have resigned or "retired" for abuse they themselves committed. What will truly be laudable is the day (if it ever occurs) the Vatican forces the resignation of bishops who covered up clergy sex abuse, ordered others to do so, or participated in the "don't ask, don't tell" routine of transferring abusive priests from one diocese to another.
Each small step forward brings hope that such a day might arrive.
More from the Conference
 If you were unable to attend VOTF’s Turning Talk into Action Assembly on April 5, you missed a fascinating talk by John Allen, Associate Editor for Catholic News at The Boston Globe and first reporter on the Vatican beat for National Catholic Reporter. Allen presented "Perspectives on Pope Francis & a Climate of Change." The National office is making DVDs of the Assembly’s two guest speakers, Allen and Fr. Thomas Reese, Senior Analyst at National Catholic Reporter and former Editor-in-Chief at America magazine, as well as of the panel discussion, Pathways to Healing & Reform. The DVDs will be available to order.
In the meantime, you can enjoy a taste of the Assembly with this clip from the Q&A session with John Allen.
VOTF WORKSHOP SUMMARY
Transparency and Accountability in Diocesan Finances
Montana Hustle - A Case Study
By Margarget Roylance
The Transparency and Accountability in Diocesan Finances workshop was attended by 30 people, with attendance divided equally between the first and second sessions. The workshop examined the case of a parish in rural Montana whose pastor was implicated in both misuse of funds and sexual abuse. After their pastor was removed from the parish and suspended from ministry, the new pastor established a Parish Finance Council (PFC). A member of that PFC described how they uncovered the situation and the lessons they learned as they tried to work with their bishop to achieve a just resolution. Together, we reviewed their situation and considered their possible courses of action.
The workshop also considered tools being developed by VOTF to give Catholics a better understanding of how their Diocesan finances are handled and how those practices compare with those of dioceses across the country. The tools will help answer questions like
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Does your bishop publish audited financial reports showing how your contributions are being used in the spirit of Pope Francis for the mission of the Church?
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In the absence of such reporting, have financial improprieties occurred and resources meant for the poor been misused?
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Does your diocesan bishop treat any funds received from the faithful in his diocese as his to do with as he wishes without any accountability?
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Does he fail to publish financial reports and invoke Corporation Sole as the basis for refusal to prosecute financial malfeasance, as did the bishop in Montana?
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According to Canon 492, the Diocesan Finance Council (DFC) should allow the faithful a significant role in the use of financial resources, does your diocese have a DFC? Does it have any real power?
Once VOTF’s Church diocesan financing portal is developed, you will be able to go our website to learn more about each diocese.
"I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon
of the church in Cenchreae." Rom. 16:1
Picture this … a Church where women participate fully
Voice of the Faithful believes that women should have full participation in our Church.
Full participation includes restoring the female diaconate. It means inviting a woman to be a consultant at the upcoming Extraordinary Synod of Bishops discerning family life in Rome this October. It means having women involved on all levels of administration in our Church.
You can help create this truly beautiful picture by donating to VOTF this summer. Here are some initiatives you'll support:
Help bring this picture to life. Add a few brush strokes by making a donation to assist in bringing women into full, meaningful participation in our Church. We don't put down our paint brushes during the summer months but work to create masterpieces all year long.
Thank you for your gift.
Focus
Highlighting issues we face working together
to Keep the Faith, Change the Church
Pope to Meet with Sex Abuse Victims, Confirms Investigation of Bertone
“Pope Francis will meet with a group of sex abuse victims for the first time in June, he told reporters May 26. During a wide-ranging inflight news conference on his return to Rome from the Holy Land, the pope also confirmed reports the Vatican is investigating charges its former secretary of state misappropriated 15 million euro from the Vatican bank.” By Francis X. Rocca, Catholic News Service
-- Pope Francis to Meet Victims of Sexual Abuse, By Elisabetta Povoledo, The New York Times
-- Clergy Abuse Victims Are Divided over Pope Francis’ Offer to Meet, By David Gibson, Religion News Service
-- SNAP Is Wrong to Discourage Victims from Meeting the Pope, Mary Gail Frawley-O’Dea, National Catholic Reporter
-- Francis’ Words on Sex Abuse Bolster Hope for Action, Editorial by National Catholic Reporter
Second UN Panel Criticizes Vatican on Sex Abuse
“For the second time, a United Nations panel has criticized the Vatican for its response to the child sexual abuse scandals in the Catholic Church, charging it with failing to mandate that abuse charges be reported to police, moving clergy to evade discipline, and failing to see that victims obtain adequate compensation.” By John L. Allen, Jr., The Boston Globe
-- U.N. Panel Says Vatican Lax Over Abusive Priests, By Nick Cumming-Bruce and Laurie Goodstein, The New York Times
-- U.N. Board Urges Vatican to Punish Bishops Who Mishandle Claims, By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service
Punish Bishops Says Vatican’s Abuse Prosecutor
“The Vatican's chief prosecutor of sex abuse crimes said the church needs to do more to develop the process for punishing bishops who fail in their duty to protect children. U.S. Father Robert W. Oliver, promoter of justice in the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, said the church does have ‘procedures to deal with bishops who are negligent in supervision.” By Catholic News Service in America magazine.
Pope Francis Says ‘Door Open’ on Priestly Celibacy
“Pope Francis has directly addressed the issue of priest celibacy for the first time since his election as Pope while on his way back from a historic trip to the Middle East. He told reporters on Monday (May 26): ‘It is a rule of life that I appreciate very much, and I think it is a gift for the church, but since it is not a dogma, the door is always open.’” By CathNews
The U.S. Sisters & the Holy See
“Why hasn’t Pope Francis stepped in to get the Vatican off the nuns’ backs? After all, he has said he wants a more collegial church, in keeping with the vision of the Second Vatican Council. He urges priests and bishops to focus on encounter and outreach. He talks about leadership roles for women.” By Mollie Wilson O’Reilly, Commonweal
Click here to read the rest of this issue of Focus...
Register NOW for Women Deacons Online Seminar
Registration for the Massive Online Open Seminar (MOOS) on Women Deacons: Past, Present, Future is now open. The seminar will run June 9-July 8, 2014. It's part of Hofstra University's online education effort.
Instructors for this FREE seminar are Gary Macy, William T. Ditewig, and Phyllis Zagano, all noted researchers and authors of articles and books on the women's diaconate. Dr. Zagano also is the 2012 recipient of VOTF's Catherine of Siena Award.
To register here, follow the directions below. Then review the materials needed for the seminar and the course outline.
Two Prayers for Summer
Prayer for a Summer Day
Long warm days...
The pace of life slows...
A time for picnics and rest in the shade...
Lord,
help me to rest a while in the cooling shade of your presence.
Slow down my restless heart and fill me with gentle compassion for all your people.
Amen.
Author unknown
Summer Prayer
God, Creator of all, thank You for summer!
Thank you for the warmth of the sun
and the increased daylight.
Thank You for the beauty I see all around me
and for the opportunity to be outside and enjoy Your creation.
Thank You for the increased time I have to be with my friends and family,
and for the more casual pace of the summer season.
Draw me closer to You this summer.
Teach me how I can pray
no matter where I am or what I am doing.
Warm my soul with the awareness of Your presence
and light my path with Your Word and Counsel.
As I enjoy Your creation, create in me
a pure heart and a hunger and a thirst for You.
Amen.
by Jim Manney
Do you have any prayers to share? Please send them to vineyard@votf.org. What are you thankful for this summer?
Questions, Comments?
Please send them to Siobhan Carroll, Vineyard Editor, at Vineyard@votf.org. Unless otherwise indicated, I will assume comments can be published as Letters to the Editor. |
